Visionary Leadership Key To Development

The world seems to be caught in a never-ending hurricane of controversies involving political leadership. Be it the Western world, Africa, or South Asia, statespersons, who can envision their country's growth and provide a safe, prosperous environment for citizens to live dignified lives while protecting human and natural resources for future generations, seem to be lacking.

On July 2, 2024, the Nepali people woke up to news and gossips suggesting that their government might be in the process of changing yet again. The leadership could be handed back to a coalition that previously came together and fell apart due to unfulfilled petty interests of individual leaders and their respective parties. The morning media and social networks were filled with reports that CPN-UML's chairman KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress (NC) president Sher Bahadur Deuba had reached an agreement to form a new government. As per the deal, Oli will be prime minister for the first two years and Deuba for the remaining period. They also planned to share the key positions of provinces.

Amendment 

There is also talk of amending the constitution's provisions related to the proportionate representation election modality, and revising the authority of the presidential role. However, there is no mention of plans or strategies for developing Nepal into an environmentally safe place where the population can reside with peace and stability, paving the way for future prosperity. It seems that Nepali leaders are perpetually engaged in forming and breaking governments and getting entangled in numerous corruption scandals. 

On July 1, news broke about a meeting between CPN-UML and NC leaders, and by midnight, it was announced that the two parties would join hands once more to form the government. How can they convince the people that they have united solely to serve the nation? What guarantees are there that they won't break up again? Political observers also mention the influence of the southern neighbour in the formation and dissolution of Nepal's government.

With the BJP coalition in power for the third time in India and the sudden possibility of change in Nepal's current coalition, it raises an important question: Has this change occurred due to concerns that a left-majority government in Nepal does not align with the right-wing BJP coalition? This suspicion and the desire to reinstate a Hindu state in Nepal have been repeatedly expressed by the BJP and the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of India.

The geopolitics influencing Nepal involve the concerns of its two giant neighbours, India and China, as well as Western countries, mainly the USA. Since the restoration of democracy and the establishment of Nepal as a federal republic, Nepali leadership has attempted to reform foreign policy to balance trade and economic ties with India and China. The social relationship between Nepal and India is unique and irreplaceable, with deep people-to-people and familial bonds. However, for economic improvement and prosperity, Nepal recognises the need to diversify its trade and economic ties with other Asian countries. Increased linkage with China does not sit well with India and the USA, both of whom prefer NC in power in Nepal. For them, an NC's coalition with UML seems more acceptable than with Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, chairman of the CPN -Maoist Centre.

Additionally, Nepal is witnessing the rise of a youth force with strong educational backgrounds and a commitment to serve the nation, either as independently elected leaders or as part of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Currently, RSP's president Rabi Lamichhane, a TV celebrity-turned politician, is the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. The RSP has been actively exposing corruption cases and pledging action against corrupt. Investigative journalism in Nepal and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal have recently been effective in uncovering massive corruption cases, including land fraud, Bhutanese refugee scam, and misappropriation of cooperative funds. However, it is irony that while Lamichhane claims to champion anti-corruption efforts, he himself faces accusations of misappropriating cooperatives funds.

Inclusion

Political instability does not create climate conducive to fostering an environment where citizens can establish industries and prosper without interference. A syndicate of private business tycoons and political leaders hampers the ability of the general population, especially youth from rural areas, to establish business ventures and create jobs. There needs to be a system to prevent political leaders and parties from forming and breaking governments based on petty interests and disrupting the development process. They should also be held accountable for such actions. 

The proportionate election system ensures the inclusion of the marginalised people in the first-past-the-post (FPTP) election system. Women candidates from marginalised communities such as the Dalits, ethnic minorities, and other groups lack the political and financial resources to contest the direct elections. Instead of removing this system, leaders should strategise on how to ensure the constitutional provision of including all Nepali citizens in the decision-making process. The proportional representation election system should be retained, but a fairer and impartial process needs to be implemented.

(Sharma is a senior journalist and women's rights advocate. namrata1964@yahoo.com. Twitter handle: @NamrataSharmaP)